Who's Right?Workplace disputes: the guide
This guide gathers the 10 situations in this category already settled on Who's Right. For each one: the short answer and a link to the full article with both sides, the verdict and the compromise.
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Hours, leave and messages
Same holiday dates as a coworker: who gets priority?
In France, there is no "first come, first served" rule: the employer sets the order of departures, based on the collective agreement or, failing that, on family situation and length of service. Neither parents nor senior staff get automatic priority.
Answering work messages on weekends: is it mandatory?
In France, an employee is generally not required to answer work messages during rest time, weekends included: the Labour Code provides a right to disconnect. The real exceptions are an organised, compensated on-call period, or a weekend that is part of your working hours.
Leaving at 5 pm sharp when others stay: is it frowned upon?
Leaving at your scheduled time isn't a fault when your work is done. It can still be badly perceived in some teams, especially if you leave without a word during a busy period.
Office life
Office air conditioning: who decides the temperature?
Not the person who feels coldest, nor the one who feels hottest: in a shared office, the temperature is agreed on together, with the building manager having the final say. The best move is to set one shared setting, then adjust desks and clothing rather than the remote.
Loud coworker in an open-plan office: how to tell them?
The best approach is to talk to them directly, one-on-one and calmly, with a clear request rather than a complaint. Suggest a concrete fix, like a meeting room for long calls or a discreet signal you agree on together, before going to your manager.
Smelly food at the office: can you tell your coworker?
Yes, you can bring it up, as long as you do it privately, kindly and without judging what they eat. The best approach is to suggest a practical fix, like eating in the break room, rather than complaining in front of the team.
Empty office coffee pot: who should make more?
Whoever takes the last cup should start a new pot: it's the simplest and fairest rule. If they truly don't have time, they should tell a colleague or make it as soon as they're back.
Colleagues and managers
Coworker CCs the boss on every email: is that normal?
CCing the boss is normal when they need to follow a project or approve a decision, but doing it on every email, even trivial ones, often breeds mistrust. The best move is to talk to your coworker, understand why, and agree together on when it makes sense.
A coworker took credit for my idea: what should I do?
Talk to your coworker one-on-one first, calmly and with facts, before going to anyone else. Then get into the habit of putting your ideas in writing (an email, a shared note) so no one can take them from you again.
Can you skip a coworker's leaving party?
Yes, a leaving party is a friendly get-together and nobody can force you to go. Just let people know ahead of time and take a moment to say goodbye to the person leaving: that's what really matters.
Frequently asked questions
Does whoever books leave first get priority?
No. The date of the request isn't one of the criteria in the French Labour Code. Some teams use it as an internal rule, but in the end the employer decides the order of departures.
From the article Same holiday dates as a coworker: who gets priority?
Can I change the office AC without asking my colleagues?
Technically yes, but in a shared space it's the number one source of conflict. A quick "Mind if I turn it down a bit?" prevents most of the tension.
From the article Office air conditioning: who decides the temperature?
How do I ask a coworker to stop CCing the boss?
Bring it up one-on-one, without accusing: say how it makes you feel and ask what he's trying to achieve. Then suggest a shared rule for when copying is actually useful.
From the article Coworker CCs the boss on every email: is that normal?
Can my employer hold it against me if I don't reply on the weekend?
In principle no, if you're not on call and weekends aren't part of your schedule: that's your rest time, which the right to disconnect protects. If you feel pressured, talk to your staff representatives or the labour inspectorate.
From the article Answering work messages on weekends: is it mandatory?
How do you tell a coworker they're too loud without offending them?
Talk to them privately, keep it light, and start from how it affects you: "I struggle to focus when you're on calls, can we figure something out?" A specific request lands much better than a general criticism.
From the article Loud coworker in an open-plan office: how to tell them?
Should I go to my manager?
Not first. Start with a one-on-one conversation with the coworker involved. If nothing changes or it keeps happening, talk to your manager using specific facts rather than accusations.
From the article A coworker took credit for my idea: what should I do?
Should you tell your colleagues when you leave on time?
You don't have to, but a simple "have a good evening, see you tomorrow" often prevents misunderstandings. During busy periods, asking if anything urgent is left shows you're still involved.
From the article Leaving at 5 pm sharp when others stay: is it frowned upon?
How do you tell a coworker their food smells without offending them?
Talk to them alone and focus on how it affects you rather than on their food, for example: "the smell makes it hard for me to concentrate in the afternoon." Offer a solution straight away so the conversation stays constructive.
From the article Smelly food at the office: can you tell your coworker?
Is it rude not to go to a coworker's leaving party?
It can come across that way if you just don't turn up and say nothing. Letting people know in advance and saying goodbye to the person leaving is usually enough to avoid any awkwardness.
From the article Can you skip a coworker's leaving party?
What if the same person always ends up making the coffee?
Bring it up with the whole team, without naming anyone. Suggest the last-cup rule, or a simple rota if the team drinks a lot of coffee.
From the article Empty office coffee pot: who should make more?
All the verdicts in this category
Written with the help of AI · This is not legal advice. How Who's Right decides
